One of the biggest visits to campus on Saturday was five-star defensive end and former commit Javion Hilson. I spoke with him after the game to talk a little bit about the decommitment and how things stand with the Seminoles.
https://floridastate.rivals.com/news/javion-hilson-can-still-see-himself-at-fsu-after-return-visit

The duo were practically inseparable during their visit on Saturday.
https://floridastate.rivals.com/new...ited-to-continue-brotherhood-at-florida-state

Florida State held its first of two bye-week practice availabilities Tuesday morning. And given the fact that FSU doesn't have a game this weekend, it switched some things up at this morning's practice.

• Tuesday morning's practice began with an extended segment of about 30-40 minutes of work with just the younger players before the veterans joined for the final 2/3rds of the practice. This provided a look at how FSU's Sunday practices the days after games normally are. Those days, players who got 20% or less of the reps in the prior day's game get a day of work. We don't normally get to see those Sunday practices so this was a nice extended look at what the younger players look like in an expanded sample size.
• I thought quite a few of the freshman skill-position players took advantage of that opportunity early in Tuesday's practice. Amaree Williams made a great leaping catch in 1-on-1s then had a ridiculous one-handed catch on a ball out in front of him while in stride. Elijah Moore had a touchdown in 1-on-1s, beating a freshman DB on an outside post route to create separation. Lawayne McCoy ran a nice comeback route for a catch in 1-on-1s as well. Luke Kromenhoek was distributing the ball well to his fellow freshmen in 7-on-7 pass skelly work as well, hitting a wide-open Williams in 7-on-7, connecting with Landen Thomas, an outside post to BJ Gibson and Moore down the sideline for a big pickup.
• Speaking of Williams, he was probably FSU's most consistent pass-catcher Tuesday morning. By my count, he had seven catches (three in the opening portion of practice and four in the second portion) and did a great job making some tough catches to build off the momentum of scoring his first touchdown vs. Clemson. Walk-on freshman wideout Willy Suarez also deserves a shoutout for a strong showing early in Tuesday's practice. He caught a deep ball for a touchdown in 1-on-1s and then made a one-handed grab over the middle in 11-on-11 during the opening portion of practice.
• That strong catching day from Williams is particularly noteworthy because on the whole, far too many balls hit the ground during Tuesday's practice. I counted eight drops from eight different receivers/tight ends during the final 7-on-7 pass skelly portion of practice, taking away a few really nice throws from Brock Glenn and Kromenhoek. That has been an issue that has plagued this offense and Mike Norvell talked after Tuesday's practice about what has gone into those drop problems this season.
• "A lot of it is your mind. There's technique and fundamentals, watching the ball, keeping your hands together, catch and tuck all the way in, but you also have to get out of your own mind sometimes. I think that's showing up with a few guys that we have and you've got to work yourself through that. You've got to focus on the technique, focus on the fundamentals, overemphasize that beyond, 'Oh, I've got make this play. I've got to do this.' Just trust your technique, trust your fundamentals. A couple of the guys that are having issues have been extremely consistent in their time here and it's not showing up. When that happens, it's one of those things that you don't understand why it occurs. Our guys, we've got different resources to help connect them from some of those mental challenges that you go through from time to time. Just continuing to work through that process. It is all focus on the technique and fundamentals because that's what we can control. You're getting open, you're doing a great part in that job. Now it's time to all the way to the tuck make sure you're finishing the catch and the rest of it will take care of itself. You'll be able to figure the rest of it out once you get the ball in your hands."
• Caziah Holmes stood out with a few explosive runs during Tuesday's practice. Lawrance Toafili also made a few plays as a sure-handed pass-catcher out of the backfield and Sam Singleton Jr. added a touchdown run.
• On the defensive line, Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones Jr. each had tackles for loss Tuesday, doing well to swarm a ballcarrier and blow up run plays in the backfield. Darrell Jackson Jr. and Byron Turner Jr. had "sacks" in quick succession. Defensive tackle KJ Sampson made a few impactful plays as well, tipping one pass at the line of scrimmage and then combining with Earl Little Jr. for a pressure that forced an off-target pass to the sideline.
• The defense came away with three interceptions during Tuesday's practice. Cai Bates did a great job reading a screen pass and secured a pick-six by jumping the route. DeMarco Ward somehow ended up with what appeared to be a 50/50 ball that both players had some possession of over the middle in 7-on-7. And Ashlynd Barker made a great play to secure a pick inches before it hit the ground after it bounced off the intended receiver's hands during the final 11-on-11 period.
• While Quindarrius Jones didn't have an interception Tuesday, he did make a few plays. First, he ripped a pass that appeared to be completed to Brian Courtney out of the tight end's hands to deny a catch. Then he had an impressive pass breakup vs. Malik Benson later in the day's work, keeping pace behind him on his route and draping a hand in front of him to knock the ball away for a really nice coverage rep.

We'll be back out there Wednesday morning for the final practice availability of FSU's bye week.

FSU sports information:

The No. 10 Florida State men’s golf team placed second overall in the Hamptons Intercollegiate on Tuesday afternoon. The Seminoles (-6) finished behind No. 12 Ole Miss (-26) and one stroke ahead of No. 3 Virginia at the Maidstone Club.

FSU shot 11-over par in round one but bounced back to finish round two 11-under. Round three was a slow start as the Noles shot 41, but rallied on the back nine. Gray Albright led the charge, claiming back-to-back eagles on holes 15 and 16 passing No. 3 Virginia, No. 23 Arkansas, and Wake Forest.

Two Seminoles finished in the top 10, with Albright placing seventh and Jack Bigham placing ninth. Albright improved four strokes in the final round, shooting 67 for the round and 1-under for the tournament. Bigham ended round three scoring 75 to finish even in ninth.

After finishing his second round at 2-under, Clanton stayed consistent, shooting 71 in the third to place 15th, finishing even.

Carson Brewer improved six strokes in round three, shooting 69 and rising 16 spots to 17th at 3-over.

Tyler Weaver shot 77 on Tuesday and finished the match 21st overall.

Individually, Michael Mays shot 3-under 69, finishing the tournament even and in ninth.

Hamptons Intercollegiate – Oct. 7-8
No. 12 Ole Miss | -26
No. 10 Florida State | -6
No. 3 Virginia | -5
RV Wake Forest | -1
No. 23 Arkansas | +20
Princeton | +23
Loyola Maryland | +24
Harvard | + 36
Penn | +44
Georgetown | +51
Yale | +53
Howard | +75

Individual Scores
7. Gray Albright – 77, 71, 67
9. Jack Bigham – 71, 71, 74
15. Luke Clanton – 76, 70, 71
17. Carson Brewer – 75, 75, 69
21. Tyler Weaver – 77, 66, 77
T9. Michael Mays – 75, 72, 69

FSU sports information:

The No. 6 Florida State soccer team (7-2-2, 2-2-1 ACC) dropped to Virginia Tech on the road in a 3-2 loss on Sunday afternoon.

After a scoreless first half, the Seminoles were awarded a penalty kick, where Jordynn Dudley tucked away her effort to give FSU the lead.

Midway through the second half, Carissa Boeckmann provided a superb cross into the box and Lara Dantas’ first touch allowed for an easy finish for her fourth goal of the season. The Hokies scored three goals in the final 15 minutes to secure their first-ever win over the Seminoles.

Florida State will face Boston College on the road on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and available to stream on ACC Network Extra.

At the halfway point of the season, I dove into how FSU compares statistically with the rest of the country.

The offensive numbers are as bad as you would expect and the defense doesn't come out very favorably either.

Brock Glenn didn’t solve Florida State’s offensive problems. But he delivered a spark, giving confidence to the Seminoles in their first rivalry game of 2024.

Glenn completed 23 of 41 passes for 228 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the 29-13 loss to Clemson. He displayed poise when under pressure, dropping back or moving well side to side to elude pass rushers or buy time. And he threw some darts, including touchdown strikes to freshman tight end Amaree Williams and senior Ja’Khi Douglas.

“I think it was good but a lot to improve on,” Glenn said. “Obviously game experience is very important. And I think there’s a lot that I can learn from and a lot that the whole offense can learn from. So we’ll be able to use this bye to clean up some details and clean up everything that we got to fix.”

Since Bama went down to Vandy on Saturday has anyone heard any comments from Finebaum yet?

is because DJ is not really the main problem. In fact, I'd argue that:

1) Playcalling/Scheme
2) Personnel
3) Run blocking

are all bigger problems. Can someone ask Norvell why Morlock, Courtney, and West all play over our two 5* freshman TE's? Can someone ask Norvell why he doesn't take more big shots? Can someone ask why Williamson, Williams, Holmes, etc. take reps away from Douglas, H. Williams, Toafili, Davis, Poitier, etc.? Can someone ask Norvell why Armella, Otto, and Simmons haven't ever been given a series, much less a fair shot to play, when the guys in front of them are terrible?

I have no problem believing that Glenn would be worse, if put in the same spot as DJ. DJ has a bigger, more accurate arm, is poised and at the very least, isn't turning the ball over at any quicker of a rate than he did in his last 4 years of CFB (~1 int every 40 attempts). He obviously can't read a defense and needs a full game of scripted plays, but the inability to adapt to the personnel and inability to put the most firepower on the field at all times, is a much more glaring reflection of Norvell than it is of DJ. If Norvell thought he was getting anything other than what we've seen, that is also a much more glaring indictment of Norvell.

Most teams would give their left *$& to have H. Williams, Poitier, Douglas, Benson and Brown out wide with Toafili and Davis in the backfield. Can't remember the last time I saw us run the ball outside the tackles, attempt to impose our will in the running game with our 6'4 250 lb+ QB (whenever the run it, it works), keep a TE and a RB into block in the pass game, run a quick slant with Williams or Benson, bring in a lead blocker on a non-goal line play, run some misdirection until the defense is forced to respect it. All I see is the same tired offensive scheme, with the same guys who haven't gotten it done, despite being given extensive opportunities to do so. Go back and watch the first series of the GT game, there is plenty of talent to have a viable offense, but it might take some creativity and ability to adapt to your personnel. That's on the HC/OC, not the QB who everyone is trying to make the scapegoat.

FWIW I don't think DJ is very good, I just happen to believe that Glenn is worse (lots of people forgetting how bad he looked in his two starts last year) and they don't want to ruin Luke K. behind this OL. You can't convince me, that we can't have a halfway decent offense, even with DJ at QB.

On Tuesday's edition of the Osceola's Seminole Sidelines, Patrick Burnham, Charles Fishbein and Nick Carlisle reflect on Mario Nash's decommitment from Mississippi State and other FSU's recruiting updates from weekend visitors like Javion Hilson as well as commits in Byron Louis and Zae Thomas.

Thanks to Seminole Sidelines' sponsors: Alumni Hall and Mowrey Law Firm.

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I'm really not seeing it tbh. I didn't think he was a very good playcaller last year either. Last year it was too many jump balls and lazy gameplanning. This year it's even worse. Early on it was way too conservative. It's like he gets fixated on a certain idea every week and refuses to adjust. SMU sent blitzes and played man on damn near every 3rd down. We never adjusted with a man beater concept. DJ was getting eaten up in the pocket before the receivers even got out of their breaks. Where was the hot route or check down? Early on it was like all we did was check down. Now we are getting blitzed constantly and have no check downs? What the actual F? And don't even get me started on those DJ runs near the goal line. The running into 9 man boxes. God there are so many issues. I don't really remember how we got this idea that Norvell is a good playcaller, because he's really not. Among the many changes we need to make this offseason, we need to hire an actual playcaller. Not saying that DJ would win the heisman or something, but a competent playcaller could get a lot more out of our offense.

Brooke Wyckoff wants Ta'Niya Latson to improve her perimeter defense. “She wants to do more on the defensive end and we need her to. She’s ready to.”

Latson has grown every year as a leader. There hasn’t been a day when she’s let up in practice. “She’s going to be our best practice player. … That shows me a lot.”

Saturday, Oct. 12, Noon ET
#10 Clemson at Wake Forest

Series: Clemson leads series, 71-17-1
Last meeting: Clemson, 17-12 (2023)
ESPN: Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Taylor McGregor (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 161 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955

Saturday, Oct. 12, Noon ET
Georgia Tech at North Carolina

Series: Georgia Tech leads series, 33-22-3
Last meeting: Georgia Tech, 46-42 (2023)
The CW: Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst), Treavor Scales (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 162 / SiriusXM 194 / SiriusXM 380
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 / SiriusXM 970

Saturday, Oct. 12, 3:30 p.m. ET
Stanford at #11 Notre Dame

Series: Notre Dame leads series, 23-14
Last meeting: Notre Dame, 56-23 (2023)
NBC & Peacock: Dan Hicks (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (analyst), Zora Stephenson (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 85 / SiriusXM 129
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 85 / SiriusXM 129

Saturday, Oct. 12, 3:30 p.m. ET
California at #22 Pitt

Series: Pitt leads series, 3-2
Last meeting: Cal, 30-15 (1966)
ESPN: Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 161 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955

Saturday, Oct. 12, 3:30 p.m. ET
(RV) Louisville at Virginia

Series: Louisville leads series, 7-5
Last meeting: Louisville, 31-24 (2023)
ACCN: Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), Coley Harvey (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 162 / SiriusXM 194 / SiriusXM 385
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 / SiriusXM 975

Saturday, Oct. 12, 8 p.m. ET
(RV) Syracuse at NC State

Series: NC State leads series, 13-3
Last meeting: Syracuse, 24-9 (2022)
ACCN: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Dana Boyle (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 161 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955

Stay or go?

The Osceola staff will use Sunday and Monday to re-watch Florida State's 29-13 to Clemson on Saturday night and offer our thoughts on the team's performance as a whole and take a look at some individual efforts.

The Tigers racked up 500 yards of offense vs. FSU's 250 total yards.

Clemson was able to rack up 265 yards on the ground on 40 carries. Clemson was averaging 5 rushing plays of 10-plus yards coming into the game. They ripped off 10 such runs vs. FSU. Big plays were a huge part of the Clemson win. Through the air, Clemson had four pass plays of over 20 yards and six of over 10-yards. Two of those plays accounted for 14 of the Tigers 29 points. The positive for the defense was their red zone defense, which forced Clemson to kick five field goals. However, it was FSU's inability to handle Clemson's offense between the twenty's that cost them the game. When you allow an offense to move up and down the field that easily, you probably aren't going to win no matter how good you are in the red zone.

Clemson scored on 7 of 11 drives and left at least six points on the field due to those blocked field goals.

Offensively, FSU found some life in the passing game with Brock Glenn at quarterback but couldn't find any green grass in the running game and the receivers, back and tight ends continue to struggle to catch the ball on a regular basis. Several could have made a difference in the game. However, the inability to catch the ball consistently as plagued this team dating back to camp.

That being said, you did see some improvement with Glenn leading the offense and that is at very least something positive to build off of during the open week as they prepare for Duke. The performance by the offense as a whole wasn't very good and it is because they can't get any production and push from the offensive line in the run game.

FSU special teams continued to be excellent with Alex Mastromanno and the FG block unit (two blocks) having excellent games.

Any news on how fall softball is going?

He is going to get abused Saturday night.